Floods mean pothole repairs will cost £12bn

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Road safety groups warn that potholes cause death and serious injury, particularly to cyclists and motorcyclistsRex Features

Philip PankTransport Correspondent

Published at 12:01AM, April 3 2014

The winter floods have added more than £1 billion to councils’ road repair costs, leaving them to find £12 billion to fill potholes.

The bill is £1.5 billion higher than in 2013, a study published today shows. Insurers estimate that the deterioration costs motorists £730 million a year. Road safety groups warn that potholes also cause death and serious injury, particularly to cyclists and motorcyclists.

Councils claim that after years of under-funding, the country is facing a roads crisis, with one in five local roads in a poor state of repair.